Headshots: Making the Right First Impression as an Actor

I recently had a conversation with a fellow actor about headshots and I think a lot of people miss the point of them.

Headshots are the first thing that casting agencies and casting directors see of an actor. It’s the very first impression of you they get and a lot of times, it is the determining factor on whether you get an audition or not.

You might see yourself as the character they are casting for, but you need to have a stranger that has never met you and are seeing you the first time see you as that character.

HEADSHOTS SHOULD SHOW THE RANGE IN ALL THE CHARACTERS YOU THINK YOU CAN PLAY OR THAT YOU WANT TO PLAY

Before I went to my headshot photographer, I wrote down each character type I felt I could portray.

1. guy next door, best friend, standard everyday guy.
2. sitcom guy, comedic relief
3. professor, teacher, next door neighbor, psychiatrist, doctor
4. nerd, guy in the chair, intellectual
5. badass, gang member, yakuza, action movie guy

I then went through each type and picked out 1-2 outfits that I felt best reflected that. Since I am mainly a t-shirt and jeans guy, I ended up at Goodwill and bought 10 pieces of clothing for under 50 bucks.

HAIR AND MAKEUP

I am lazy when it comes to my looks. I hate body maintenance. I have long hair because I can roll out of bed, run my hands through my hair and leave the house. At home, I have two looks; hair down or hair in a man bun.

I opted to hire a hair and makeup artist for my headshots (Hilary Huff). Not only did she make me look good, with her experience, she gave great suggestions on how to really sell the looks I was going for.

Yes, it’s an additional cost, but if you’re not willing to invest in yourself, who will be?

PHOTOGRAPHER

Choose someone that gets what you are going for. I understand price is always a factor, but this is your first impression for work. It can make or break you getting work. So, if you’re going to cheap out on anything, don’t cheap out on headshots.

There were two things that sold me on my headshot photographer (Joe Funk):

1. He does a free 30 minute consultation on Zoom to understand what you are going for, or if you don’t know, he helps you figure it out
2. The session for your headshots has no time limit.

TIPS

• grow out your facial hair if you are a man before your headshots. do your facial hair looks and then shave for the rest of your photos
• don’t just change shirts with the same hair and look. That is only one look, but with different shirts on
• do your research. go to multiple photographer’s websites and see their work. There are tons of good headshot photographers, but you should be looking for great. You’ll know it when you see it
• know what you want before your session, but also be open to suggestions. I never part my hair in the middle, but it was recommended by my hair stylist and it really sold the badass look
• bring way more outfits than you think you need. Even after going to Goodwill and bringing half my closet to my shoot, I ended up wearing a couple pieces of clothing of my photographer’s and his assistant’s
• if you get a haircut before your session, do it a week before so your hair has a time to settle
• don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone. Slick your hair back, part it a different way, wear something you’ve never worn. You are an actor and you are trying to play characters. It’s not just about looking good, it’s trying to sell a stranger that you can play a role